Jersey Shore fishing: 30-lb. bass at Sandy Hook

Alex Hunt of Union weighed in a 30-pound striped bass at The Tackle Box in Hazlet after he caught it while casting a popper into the Sandy Hook surf this afternoon. He told Phil Sciortino that he also caught two others the same size plus big blues as those fish were chasing adult bunkers.

Though the cold front that came through early this morning was uncomfortable, anglers fishing aboard party boats along the Shore had fine striper fishing. The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant had a charter for Rich Lindner of Envirolight as they had the best action in over two weeks with many limits up to a 28-pound striper. Red tail Ava 47 jigs worked best.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar ended up with almost 80 legal stripers plus about 25 shorts and some blues. The early Striperthon departure made a big difference as two-thirds of the keepers were aboard before another boat showed up. Poppers worked best at first, before jigs were the way to go later.

It was a little slower to the north for Capt. Rob Semkewyc on his Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands, though there was lots of bird action before the fleet arrived. There were also more 26-to-27 1/2-inch shorts than had been the case. Jigging was good initially, but got tougher after the tide change.

When I left the house this morning it was mild and calm, but surfcasters were already walking off the beach at Point Pleasant as the temperature plunged and the wind created a big belly in the line. No one caught anything, even before that change.

Grumpy's Tackle in Seaside Park hasn't had any weigh-ins the last two days, and Veteran's Day was quiet on the beaches.

The Tackle Box reported a 21-pound bass caught on a clam Sunday from Keansburg's beach by Gavyn Read (12) of that town.